The Department of Biological Sciences offers four undergraduate majors (Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Neuroscience and Behavior), along with a Biology Concentration, across two schools: Columbia College and General Studies. Students can only choose one major/concentration within the Department. You may not major in Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biophysics/ Neuroscience & Behavior and have a Biology Concentration.
Students who have gone above and beyond in their biology program are encouraged to apply for Honors in Biological Sciences.
For All Majors
Students majoring or concentrating in Biology or Related Fields:
- Review the requirements for your desired major/concentration detailed in the links below. Please email Ellie Siddens ([email protected]) to go over the progress of your major completion.
- Fill out a major planning form as far as you can, using the checklist and the information in the bulletin. Include both courses you have completed AND courses you plan to take to complete your major.
- Consult the appropriate departmental advisor to discuss any variances from the normal guidelines. Bring your filled out major planning form with you to this meeting. Your advisor will then email any approved variances from the normal requirements to the biology departments administrator, Ellie Siddens, who will approve your major completion for graduation.
- Visit the Major Declaration Page during the Major Declaration Period (usually Spring Break of your Sophomore year) to officially declare your major.
For students majoring in Biochemistry or Neuroscience & Behavior (joint majors), you should consult advisors in both departments to plan your program, each regarding their specific courses (e.g. biology course exceptions will need to be approved by a biology advisor, chemistry course exceptions will need to be approved by a chemistry advisor).
All biology-related majors: at least 4 biology or biochemistry courses and at least 18 credits of the total (biology, biochemistry, math, physics, and chemistry) must be taken at Columbia. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor. The two required core courses should be taken at Columbia. Courses covering the same topics as Bio dept core courses, but taken elsewhere, are counted as electives, not as core courses.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits for the major are not automatically granted. Students should email their Biology advisor with a transcript and the syllabi from their previous institution to request transfer credit. Transfer credit for Introductory Biology is rarely granted. You can read more about transfer credits in this FAQ.
If you are planning to study abroad, please meet with your Advisor before you go. You'll need prior approval for any major courses that you take abroad.
P/D/F Grades
A grade of C- or better must be earned and revealed on your transcript for any course -- including the first semester -- to be counted towards the major or concentration requirements. The grade of P is not acceptable, but a course that was taken P/D/F may be counted if and only if the P is uncovered by the Registrar's deadline. Please note that an exception is made for major courses taken in Spring 2020 when all courses were Pass-Fail. Further exceptions are allowed for 2020-2021, when students can opt to take one course Pass/Fail during the Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Fall 2021 semesters, without any restrictions - this can be in a course required for their major or concentration. (details here). If you are concerned about a P grade counting for the major, please consult with your advisor.
Course Numbering
NOTE: Numbering does not reflect difficulty but rather whether UGs & graduate students have different requirements:
3000 – Only UGs register
4000 – UGs and graduate students perform the same
5000 – Only graduate students register, requires additional work beyond the 3000 course; 3000 (UGs) & 5000 (Grad.) are different versions of the same course, i.e. same time, location, and lectures
Non-Major Courses
The following biology-related courses do not count towards the major or as one of the 4 courses that all biology majors must take at Columbia University. This list is not exhaustive, and you should discuss your major courses with your biology advisor.
- BIOL UN1004 Foundations of Biology
- BIOL UN1130 Genes and Development
- BIOL UN1360 Science and Society
- BIOL UN1908 First-year seminar in biology
- BIOL UN2300 Interpreting Scientific Evidence
- BIOL UN3920 Ignorance
- BIOL UN3995 Topics in Biology: Crossroads in Bioethics
- BIOL GU4305 Seminar in Biotechnology
- BIOL GU4506 Biochemistry in XR: Mixed Reality
- BIOT GU4160 Biotechnology Law
- BIOT GU4180 Entrepreneurship in Biotech
- BIOT GU4200 Biopharmaceutical Development & Regulation
- BIOT GU4201 Seminar in Biotech Development & Regulation
- BIOT GR5170 Intro to Management Principles
- CMLS UN3965 Precision Medicine: Biology
- Any course beginning with the BIOT prefix
- All Barnard Courses
Major Requirements
Students are welcome to use this Biology Major Requirements Checklist to keep track of requirements. Any exceptions must be approved in advance by an Advisor and you must receive email notification of that approval.
For transfer students, at least 4 biology or biochemistry courses and at least 18 credits of the total (biology, biochemistry, math, physics, and chemistry) must be taken at Columbia. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor.
BIOT, SCNC, & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on the Bio website.
I. Required Biology Courses
1. Two introductory biology courses (Barnard courses cannot be used for Intro Bio):
- UN2005 - Introductory Biology I: Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology
UN2006 - Introductory Biology II: Cell Biology, Development & Physiology
2. Two lecture courses from this list of core courses
- Genetics -- UN3031
- Cell Biology -- UN3041
- Developmental Biology -- UN3022
- Biochemistry -- GU4501 or UN3300
- Molecular Biology -- GU4512
- Evolution in the Age of Genomics -- GU4560
3. One of the following 4 options to fulfill the lab requirement:
Option 1: A 5-point biology lab. Current offerings include:
- UN3058 - Project laboratory in microbiology
- UN3052 - Project laboratory in molecular genetics
Option 2: Two semesters of UN3500 - Independent research in the same lab for either 3 or 4 credits each semester
- 3 credits of 3500 = 3 credits x 4 = 12 hours / week on average in the lab
- 4 credits of 3500 = 4 credits x 4 = 16 hours / week on average in the lab
Option 3: One summer of SURF program is sufficient to fulfill the bio lab requirement for the bio major. (Students who complete SURF are encouraged to continue working in the same lab by enrolling in independent study, UN3500, or working on their own terms but it is not necessary. Summer lab work under other auspices may not be substituted for SURF. Paid laboratory work may not be substituted for SURF or UN3500.
Option 4: UN2501 - Contemporary biology laboratory and one of the following
- UN3040 - Lab in Molecular Biology
- A 3 pt. Barnard lab course (Bio advisor approval required)
4. Two additional 3000- or 4000-level lecture courses for 3 or more pts. Prior approval is required for any course, not on this list.
- UN3004 - Neurobiology I: Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology
- UN3005 - Neurobiology II: Development & Systems
- UN3006 - Physiology
- UN3019 - Brain Evolution
- UN3022 - Developmental Biology
- UN3025 - Neurogenetics
- UN3031 - Genetics
- GU4034 - Biotechnology
- UN3799/GU4799 - Molecular Biology of Cancer
- UN3041 - Cell Biology
- UN3073 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology
- GU4193 - Stem Cell Biol & Applications
- UN3300 - Biochemistry
- GU4310 - Virology
- UN3320 - Regulation of Behaviors for Survival
- UN3404 - Antimicrobial Resistance
- GU4501 - Biochemistry
- GU4512 - Molecular Biology
- UN3560/GU4560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4001 - Advanced Genetic Analysis
- GU4002 - Macromolecular Structure and Interactions
- GU4008 - Advanced Seminar in Neurobiology (topic varies)
- GU4011 - Neural Systems: Circuits in the Brain
- GU4035 - Seminar in Epigenetics
- GU4036 - Transformative Concepts in Systems Biology
- GU4075 - Biology at Physical Extremes
- GU4080 - Ancient and Modern RNA Worlds
- GU4082 - Theoretical Foundations and Applications of Biophysical Methods
- GU4088 - Seminar in Neurobiochemistry and Neurology
- GU4290 - Biological Microscopy
- GU4300 - Drugs and Disease
- GU4323 - Biophysical Chemistry I
- GU4324 - Biophysical Chemistry II
- GU4510 - Genomics of Gene Regulation
- GU4551 - A Structural View of Biology
- GU4600 - Cell Signaling
- GU4777 - From Curiosity to Cure Case Studies
II. Other Required Courses
One of the following three groups of Chemistry courses:
Option 1:
- General chemistry - UN1403-UN1404 and lab UN1500
- Organic chemistry - UN2443-UN2444 and lab UN2495-UN2496
Option 2: For students who qualify for intensive chemistry:
- Second Semester General Chemistry (Intensive) UN1604 and Intensive lab UN1507
- Organic Chemistry - UN2443-UN2444 and lab UN2495-2496
Option 3: For students who qualify for 1st-year organic chemistry:
Intensive General Chemistry Lab - UN1507 Intensive Organic Chemisty UN2045-UN2046 AND Orgo lab UN2495-UN2496, or Intensive Organic Chem lab UN2545
Physics:
Two semesters of physics are required, including the accompanying labs. The usual choices are General physics (UN1201-UN1202) and labs (UN1291-UN1292). The 1400 sequence is recommended if you plan to take 3 terms of physics. Higher-level physics sequences are ok too
Math:
The math requirement can be fulfilled by taking either of these
- Two semesters of calculus
- One semester of calculus plus one semester of statistics (UN1101 or UN1201)**
- For students with AP credit, an A 4 or 5 in Calculus A/B in high school or a 4 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one term of calculus toward the biology major. A score of 5 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one year of calculus toward the biology major. (Students with these scores are exempt from some bio major requirements, as explained above, but will not receive AP credit if they take Calculus 1, or if they take no calculus at Columbia.) For more details, see the mathematics department website.
Any exceptions must be approved in advance by an Advisor and you must receive email notification of that approval.
For transfer students, at least 4 biology or biochemistry courses and at least 18 credits of the total (biology, biochemistry, math, physics, and chemistry) must be taken at Columbia. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor.
I. Required Biology Courses
- Two introductory biology courses (Barnard courses cannot be used for Intro Bio):
- UN2005 - Introductory Biology I: Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology AND
- UN2006 - Introductory Biology II: Cell Biology, Development & Physiology
- One lecture course from this list of core courses:
- Genetics -- UN3031
- Cell Biology -- UN3041
- Developmental Biology -- UN3022
- Biochemistry -- GU4501 or UN3300
- Molecular Biology -- GU4512
-
Additional biology lecture courses, level 3000 or above, to reach the total Biology credits of 22 points required for the concentration. Current offerings include the core courses listed above and the following. Prior approval is required for any course, not on this list.
- UN3004 - Neurobiology I: Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology
- UN3005 - Neurobiology II: Development & Systems
- UN3006 - Physiology
- UN3019 - Brain Evolution
- UN3022 - Developmental Biology
- UN3025 - Neurogenetics
- UN3031 - Genetics
- GU4034 - Biotechnology
- UN3799/GU4799 - Molecular Biology of Cancer
- UN3041 - Cell Biology
- UN3073 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology
- GU4193 - Stem Cell Biol & Applications
- UN3300 - Biochemistry
- GU4310 - Virology
- UN3320 - Regulation of Behaviors for Survival
- UN3404 - Antimicrobial Resistance
- GU4501 - Biochemistry
- GU4512 - Molecular Biology
- UN3560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4002 - Macromolecular Structure and Interactions
- GU4008 - Advanced seminar in neurobiology (topic varies)
- GU4011 - Neural Syst: Circuits in the Brain
- GU4035 - Seminar in Epigenetics
- GU4036 - Transformative Concepts in Systems Biology
- GU4044 - Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
- GU4075 - Biology at Physical Extremes
- GU4777 - From Curiosity to Cure Case Studies
- GU4080 - Ancient and Modern RNA Worlds
- GU4082 - Theoretical Foundations and Applications of Biophysical Methods
- GU4088 - Seminar in Neurobiochemistry and Neurology
- GU4290 - Biological Microscopy
- GU4300 - Drugs and Disease
- GU4323 - Biophysical Chemistry I
- GU4324 - Biophysical Chemistry II
- GU4510 - Genomics of Gene Regulation
- GU4551 - A Structural View of Biology
- GU4560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4777 - From Curiosity to Cure Case Studies
A maximum of 5 points of lab credit may be counted toward the 22-point total. 5 pts will be waived on completion of the SURF program. Either UN2501 or a five-point lab course, but not both, may count towards the 22-point total.
Note: BIOT, SCNC & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on the Biology website.
II. Required Science and Math Courses
1. One of the following three groups of Chemistry courses:
Option 1:
- General Chemistry - UN1403-UN1404 and lab UN1500
- Organic Chemistry - UN2443-UN2444 and lab UN2495-UN2496
Option 2: For students who qualify for intensive chemistry:
- Second Semester General Chemistry (Intensive) UN1604 and Intensive lab UN1507
- Organic Chemistry - UN2443-UN2444 and lab UN2495-2496
Option 3: For students who qualify for 1st-year organic chemistry:
- Intensive General Chemistry Lab - UN1507
- Intensive Organic Chemistry UN2045-UN2046 AND Orgo lab UN2495-UN2496, or Intensive Organic Chem lab UN2545
2. Physics
Two semesters of physics are required, including the accompanying labs. The usual choices are General physics (UN1201-UN1202) and labs (UN1291-UN1292). The 1400 sequence is recommended if you plan to take 3 terms of physics. Higher levels of physics sequences are acceptable too.
3. Math
The math requirement can be fulfilled by taking any of these:
- Two semesters of calculus
- One semester of calculus plus one semester of statistics (UN1101 or UN1201)**
- For students with AP credit, an A 4 or 5 in Calculus A/B in high school or a 4 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one term of calculus toward the biology major. A score of 5 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one year of calculus toward the biology major. (Students with these scores are exempt from some bio major requirements, as explained above, but will not receive AP credit if they take Calculus 1, or if they take no calculus at Columbia.) For more details, see the mathematics department website.
Any exceptions must be approved in advance by an Advisor and you must receive email notification of that approval.
For transfer students, at least 4 biology or biochemistry courses and at least 18 credits of the total (biology, biochemistry, math, physics, and chemistry) must be taken at Columbia. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor.
Note: SCNC & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on the Bio web site. BIOT courses will not be counted toward the Major.
I. Required Biology Courses
- Both terms of the introductory biology sequence (Barnard courses cannot be used for Intro Bio):
- UN2005 - Introductory Biology I: Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology or UN2401
- UN2006 - Introductory Biology II: Cell Biology, Developmental & Physiology or UN2402
- Both of these Biology-Chemistry courses:
- GU4501 - Biochemistry or UN3300 - Biochemistry
- GU4512 - Molecular Biology
II. Required Chemistry Courses
-
One of these three sequences of courses:
- UN1403 - UN1404 General Chemistry I and II and UN2443 - UN2444 Organic chemistry I and II
- UN1604 - Second Semester General Chemistry (Intensive) and UN2443 - UN2444 Organic chemistry I and II
- UN2045 - UN2046 Intensive organic chemistry
-
The following physical chemistry courses:
- UN3079 - UN3080 - Physical Chemistry I and II
III. Required Laboratory Courses
-
One general chemistry lab:
- UN1500 General Chemistry Laboratory or UN1507 Intensive General Chemistry Lab
-
One organic chemistry lab:
- UN2495 - UN2496 Organic Chemistry Laboratory or UN2545 Intensive Organic Chemistry Lab
-
One of these upper-level biology labs:
- UN3058 - Project laboratory in microbiology
- UN3052 - Project laboratory in molecular genetics
- UN3500 - Independent Research Project, taken for at least 4 points
-
At least one of these upper-level chemistry or biology labs:
- Chemistry UN3546 - Advanced organic chemistry lab
- Chemistry UN3085 or UN3086 - Physical and analytical chemistry lab I and II
- Chemistry UN3098 - Supervised Independent Research
- Biology UN3500 - Independent Research Project, taken for at least 4 points**
- An advanced Bio lab (UN3058 or UN3052). The same biology lab cannot be used to fulfill both requirements 3 & 4 -- you must take two different ones to fulfill both requirements.
- UN2501 - Contemporary biology laboratory plus one of the following
- UN3040 - Lab in Molecular Biology
- A 3 pt. Barnard lab course, with permission from Bio advisor
**You can take only one term of UN3500, but you usually learn much more if you work in the same lab for a more extended period. If you plan to do lab research, we recommend two terms of UN3500 (4 pts each) or one term + a summer of research in the same laboratory. (Even if only one term is applied toward the major.) SURF may be used instead of the lab requirement only if combined with one semester of UN3500; summer lab work under other auspices may not be substituted for SURF. Paid laboratory work may not be substituted for any of these requirements.
Note: Students who satisfactorily complete any of the following combinations are considered to have completed all their upper-level lab requirements (3 & 4 above)-
- Two semesters of UN3500 for 8 credits total in the same lab.
- One semester of UN3500 for a minimum of 3 credits plus Surf in the same lab.
- One semester of UN3500 for a minimum of 4 credits plus one Project lab.
- One Project lab plus Surf.
- Two Project labs.
IV. Required Physics and Math Courses
-
Two terms of Physics are required
- Physics UN1201 - UN1202 General Physics fulfills the requirement.
The 1400 sequence is recommended if you plan to take 3 terms of physics.
(Higher numbered sequences are fine if you have the background)
- Physics UN1201 - UN1202 General Physics fulfills the requirement.
-
Mathematics:
- 2 Semesters of Calculus or Honors Math. If you have AP credit and complete one term of advanced Calculus at Columbia (Calculus II or higher), this requirement is fulfilled.
V. Additional Course Requirements (Any three of these)
Math courses:
- ODE (Ordinary differential equations) or Linear Algebra (MATH UN2010) or One additional term of Calculus or Honors Math beyond that used to fulfill the previous Math requirement (IV-2). At most one of these math courses will count toward the additional course requirements.
- For students with AP credit, an A 4 or 5 in Calculus A/B in high school or a 4 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one term of calculus toward the biology major. A score of 5 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one year of calculus toward the biology major. (Students with these scores are exempt from some bio major requirements, as explained above, but will not receive AP credit if they take Calculus 1, or if they take no calculus at Columbia.) For more details, see the mathematics department website.
- NOTE: A single calculus course, no matter how advanced, does not fulfill both requirements IV-2 and V-1.
Chemistry courses:
- GU4071 Inorganic chemistry (strongly recommended)
- UN4147 Advanced organic chemistry
- UN4102 Chemistry for the Brain
- GU4313 Peptide and Protein Chemistry
Biology courses:
Any Biology lecture course at the 3000/4000 level for 3 or more points. The following are recommended. Prior approval is required for any course, not on this list.
- UN3004 - Neurobiology I: Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology
- UN3005 - Neurobiology II: Development & Systems
- UN3006 - Physiology
- UN3019 - Brain Evolution
- UN3022 - Developmental Biology
- UN3025 - Neurogenetics
- UN3031 - Genetics
- GU4034 - Biotechnology
- UN3799/GU4799 - Molecular Biology of Cancer
- UN3041 - Cell Biology
- UN3073 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology
- GU4193 - Stem Cell Biol & Applications
- UN3300 - Biochemistry
- GU4310 - Virology
- UN3320 - Regulation of Behaviors for Survival
- UN3404 - Antimicrobial Resistance
- GU4501 - Biochemistry
- GU4512 - Molecular Biology
- UN3560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4002 - Macromolecular Structure and Interactions
- GU4008 - Advanced seminar in neurobiology (topic varies)
- GU4011 - Neural Systems: Circuits in the Brain
- GU4035 - Seminar in Epigenetics
- GU4036 - Transformative Concepts in Systems Biology
- GU4044 - Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
- GU4075 - Biology at Physical Extremes
- GU4080 - Ancient and Modern RNA Worlds
- GU4082 - Theoretical Foundations and Applications of Biophysical Methods
- GU4088 - Seminar in Neurobiochemistry and Neurology
- GU4290 - Biological Microscopy
- GU4300 - Drugs and Disease
- GU4323 - Biophysical Chemistry I
- GU4324 - Biophysical Chemistry II
- GU4510 - Genomics of Gene Regulation
- GU4551 - A Structural View of Biology
- GU4560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4777 - From Curiosity to Cure Case Studies
VI. Recommended Seminar Courses (not required)
- Biology UN1908 - First-year seminar in modern biology - For first-year students only
- Chemistry UN2408
Any exceptions must be approved in advance by an Advisor and you must receive email notification of that approval.
For transfer students, at least 4 biology or biochemistry courses and at least 18 credits of the total (biology, biochemistry, math, physics, and chemistry) must be taken at Columbia. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor.
Note: SCNC & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on the Bio web site. BIOT courses will not be counted toward the Major.
I. Required Biology Courses
-
Three biology lecture courses (Barnard courses cannot be used for Intro Bio):
- UN2005 - Introductory Biology I: Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology
- UN2006 - Introductory Biology II: Cell Biology, Development & Physiology
- UN3031 - Genetics or UN3004 - Neurobiology I: Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology or UN3005 - Neurobiology II: Development & Systems or UN3022 - Developmental biology
-
One of the following biology lab courses:
- UN3058 - Project laboratory in microbiology
- UN3052 - Project laboratory in molecular genetics
- UN3500 - Independent study (taken for at least 4 points)
- SURF - Summer undergraduate research fellowship
-
One of the following biochemistry courses:
- GU4501 - Biochemistry or UN3300 - Biochemistry
- GU4512 - Molecular Biology
II. Required Physics Courses
-
One of the following sequences of physics courses (completed by the end of the sophomore year)
- UN1401, UN1402, UN1403, and accompanying laboratory (UN1494).
- UN1601, UN1602, UN2601, and accompanying laboratory (UN2699).
- UN2801 - UN2802 and the recommended laboratory (UN3081). Recommended for those with AP calculus and/or a strong background in physics.
- UN1401, UN1402, UN1403, and accompanying laboratory (UN1494).
-
Any two physics courses at 3000-level or above, chosen in consultation with the advisor.
III. Required Math and Other Science Courses
Math:
The following math courses
- Calculus I - IV (UN1101, UN1102, UN1201, UN1202)** or Honors Math I - IV (UN1107, UN1108, UN1207, UN1208) or the equivalent
For students with AP credit, an A 4 or 5 in Calculus A/B in high school or a 4 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one term of calculus toward the major. A score of 5 in B/C calculus fulfills the requirement of one year of calculus toward the major. For more details, see the mathematics department website. - UN2030/UN3027 - Ordinary differential equations
Chemistry:
General Chemistry I and II are required:
- Option 1: General chemistry - UN1403-UN1404
- Option 2: For students who qualify for intensive chemistry - Second Semester General Chemistry (Intensive) UN1604 and Intensive lab UN1507
IV. Additional Course Requirements
- Chose one additional course at the 3000- or 4000-level course in either Physics or Biology. The following are some suggested courses to fulfill this requirement:
- BIOL GU4002 (Macromolecular Structure and Interaction) or GU4070 (Single Molecular Approaches) or GU4323-4324 (Biophysical Chemistry)
Note: SCNC & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on the Bio website.
BIOT courses will not be counted toward the Major.
For transfer students, at least 4 biology or biochemistry courses and at least 18 credits of the total (biology, biochemistry, math, physics, and chemistry) must be taken at Columbia. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor.
The Department of Psychology and the Department of Biological Sciences co-sponsor a combined major in neuroscience and behavior. In addition to one year of general chemistry, eleven courses are required to complete the major, six from Biology and five from Psychology.
NOTE: For students entering in Fall 2024 or later, two biology elective courses will be required. For students entering prior to Fall 2024, one biology elective course will be required.
At least 4 biology courses, and at least 4 psychology courses, must be taken at Columbia. That means that a maximum of one biology course (bio elective only) and one psychology course from another institution (including Barnard) may be credited toward the major. Barnard courses may not be substituted for the required Columbia courses without advance permission from the advisor.
If you are planning to study abroad, please be advised that Intro Bio I & II and Neurobio I & II must be taken at Columbia. The required bio elective(s) can be taken abroad with advisor permission prior to travel.
An abridged version for the N&B major is provided here for your convenience: Neuro & Behavior Major Checklist.
Biology
1. Biology UN2005 - Introductory Biology I: Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology (Barnard courses cannot be used for Intro Bio)
2. Biology UN2006 - Introductory Biology II: Cell Biology, Development & Physiology (Barnard courses cannot be used for Intro Bio)
3. UN3004 - Neurobiology I: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
4. UN3005 - Neurobiology II: Developmental and Systems
5. Two additional 3000 or 4000 level biology lecture courses from the following:
Prior approval is required for any course not on this list.
- UN3006 - Physiology
- UN3019 - Brain Evolution
- UN3022 - Developmental Biology
- UN3025 - Neurogenetics
- UN3031 - Genetics
- UN3034/GU4034 - Biotechnology
- UN3799/GU4799 - Molecular Biology of Cancer
- UN3041 - Cell Biology
- UN3073 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology
- GU4193 - Stem Cell Biol & Applications
- UN3300 - Biochemistry
- GU4310 - Virology
- UN3320 - Regulation of Behaviors for Survival
- UN3404 - Antimicrobial Resistance
- UN3560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4002 - Macromolecular Structure and Interactions
- GU4008 - Advanced seminar in neurobiology (topic varies)
- GU4011 - Neural Syst: Circuits in the Brain
- GU4035 - Seminar in Epigenetics
- GU4036 - Transformative Concepts in Systems Biology
- GU4044 - Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
- GU4075 - Biology at Physical Extremes
- GU4080 - Ancient and Modern RNA Worlds
- GU4082 - Theoretical Foundations and Applications of Biophysical Methods
- GU4088 - Seminar in Neurobiochemistry and Neurology
- GU4290 - Biological Microscopy
- GU4300 - Drugs and Disease
- GU4323 - Biophysical Chemistry I
- GU4324 - Biophysical Chemistry II
- GU4501 - Biochemistry
- GU4510 - Genomics of Gene Regulation
- GU4512 - Molecular Biology
- GU4551 - A Structural View of Biology
- GU4560 - Evolutionary Biology in the Genomic Era
- GU4777 - From Curiosity to Cure Case Studies
Note: SCNC & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on Bio web site.
BIOT courses will not be counted towards the Major.
Transfer Credit for biology Courses taken elsewhere. A student may apply to the biology advisor to have one course from another institution applied toward the biology portion of the Neuroscience and Behavior major. To be approved for transfer credit, the grade received in the course taken at the other institution must be B- or better. To fulfill requirements 1-4, the course must be substantially similar to one offered by the department. If a student has taken a year of introductory biology at another institution, the student has the option of retaking one or two terms of the introductory biology sequence here or taking 4 upper level biology courses instead of the usual 3.
Psychology
For the definitive list of psychology requirements, see the Psychology Dept. web site.
1. PSYC UN1001 - The science of psychology
2. PSYC UN2430 Cognitive Neuroscience or PSYC UN2450 - Behavioral Neuroscience
NOTE: Students who have previously taken PSYC UN1010 Mind, Brain and Behavior may use that course to fulfill this requirement.
3. One lab or statistics course from the following:
- PSYC UNS2210Q - Cognition: Basic Processes or
- PSYC UN1420 - Experimental Psychology: Human Behavior
- PSYC UN1450 - Experimental Psychology: Social Cognition and Emotion or
- PSYC UN1490 - Experimental Psychology: Cognition and Decision Making or
- PSYC UN1610 - Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Scientists or
- PSYC UN1660 - Advanced Statistical Inference or
- STAT 1101 Introduction to Statistics or
- STAT 1211 Calculus-Based Introduction to Statistics
4. One additional 2000 or 3000 level psychology course from a list approved by the Psychology Departmental adviser to the program. see the department website
5. One advanced psychology seminar from a list approved by the Psychology Department adviser to the program. see the department website.
Transfer Credit for Psychology Courses taken elsewhere. Students should consult a psychology advisor before registering for psychology courses offered outside the department. With the advisor’s approval, one, and only one, course from another institution, including Barnard, may be applied toward the psychology portion of the neuroscience and behavior major. Students who wish to obtain credit for a course taken at Barnard or at another institution should complete the Major Requirement Substitution Form. To be approved for the major, the course should be substantially similar to one offered by this department and approved for this major, and the grade received must be a C- or better if from Barnard, or B- or better if from another institution. Advanced placement (AP) psychology scores will not satisfy the PSYC W1001 requirement.
Note: No course may be counted twice in fulfillment of the above biology or psychology requirements. A grade of C-, or higher, must be earned in any Columbia course that is used to satisfy the major requirement. Also, courses taken on a pass/fail or pass/D/fail basis may not be used to satisfy the major requirement.
Chemistry
1 year of General Chemistry is required. (CHEMUN1403-1404 or higher level courses, if appropriate).
NOTE: Most graduate programs in Neuroscience require 1 year of calculus, 1 year of physics and chemistry through organic.